Conservatives unveil immigration taskforce inspired by ICE model
The Conservative Party is preparing to unveil a controversial policy that would create an immigration taskforce modeled on the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agency. The plan, described by sources as a cornerstone of a broader borders plan, aims to dramatically ramp up removals and tighten asylum procedures ahead of the party’s annual conference in Manchester.
The taskforce and its mandate
Leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to announce the creation of a new “removals force” that would be authorised to deport around 150,000 people a year if the Conservatives win the next election. The proposal would allocate roughly £1.6 billion to the body and grant it “sweeping new powers,” including the use of facial recognition technology to identify individuals eligible for removal. The plan also envisages closer collaboration with police, with immigration checks reportedly to be integrated into routine stops and arrests.
Rationale and controversy
The party argues that the Ice model has been effective in removing migrants who entered the country illegally, citing the high removal numbers reported during Donald Trump’s presidency. Critics, however, point to serious concerns about civil liberties, potential racial bias, and the risk of detaining or deporting people who are in the country lawfully. The plan’s reception inside the Conservative Party reflects a broader split between the right’s tough-on-immigration wing and more moderate voices concerned about legal safeguards and human rights obligations.
A broader overhaul of asylum rules
Badenoch is anticipated to position the taskforce within a wider overhaul of the UK’s asylum system. Under the proposals, refugee status could be limited to those directly threatened by foreign governments. Those who have fled conflict or who are seeking protection on grounds such as religion or sexuality in “less tolerant” regimes could be excluded, according to early summaries of the policy. The government is also reported to be considering abolishing immigration tribunals, shifting decisions to the Home Office with a much tighter scope for appeal, and restricting access to legal aid for immigration cases.
Legal and human rights concerns
<pAdvocates and legal experts warn that such changes would test long-standing commitments to human rights and due process. Critics argue that removing avenues of appeal, limiting access to lawyers, and expanding surveillance powers could lead to miscarriages of justice and disproportionate impacts on minority migrants. The government’s position, however, frames these measures as essential steps to restore trust in borders and protect citizens and veterans, a line Badenoch has repeatedly stressed in recent speeches.
Political context and rival voices
Immigration has become a defining issue at this year’s Conservative conference, with the party seeking to present itself as the “stronger borders” option. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has argued for even more aggressive immigration policies, including withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. Badenoch’s team asserts that Reform’s plans are unworkable, unpredictable, and lacking a solid legal basis, insisting that the Conservatives offer a credible, well-analyzed framework for border control.
Implications for policy and public debate
<pIf adopted, the removals force and the tougher asylum regime would represent a seismic shift in UK migration policy, with potential implications for international relationships, border management, and the justice system. As the conference unfolds, the reception of these proposals by MPs, civil society groups, and voters will likely shape the trajectory of government priorities on immigration for years to come.
